Brutal attack on just-widowed 92yo caught on camera

The man believed to have committed the violent robbery. Credits: Metropolitan Police

UK police are hunting a man who mugged a 92-year-old woman, dragging her screaming along the ground in an attack labelled "truly horrific" by police.

London's Metropolitan Police have release CCTV footage of the June 27 incident as part of their search and are appearing for help in finding the attacker.

The elderly lady had just posted a letter, when the suspect followed her from the street into an alleyway before attacking her from behind.

He grabbed her bag with such force that she was pulled to the ground.

"The victim, who was screaming, refused to let go of her bag, so the suspect dragged her until she was in so much pain that she eventually let go," police say.

The man made off with her mobile phone and cash.

The woman, who recently lost her husband of nearly 70 years, sustained extensive bruising all over her body.

She is currently being supported by her family, who say she is incredibly distraught, nervous and does not wish to be named out of fear. She is now terrified of leaving the house and has lost her independence.

"I have been involved in many serious cases, however the devastating psychological trauma of this victim is possibly the worse I have encountered," says Detective Inspector Paul Ridley.

"I cannot comprehend how anyone could target a frail lady in her 90s using this amount of violence, it is truly horrific."

Anyone with information on the man in the video is asked to contact authorities in London.